Tag Archives: spy photos

We know that BMW wants to be at the top of everything, but we didn’t know they would eventually dominate the hauler segment of vehicles. The X7 is one such example. Although the production hasn’t started yet, it will surely come out ready once BMW is done with it.

While it’s likely that the X7 will debut for the 2019 model year, that doesn’t stop us from speculating what’s underneath that camouflage we saw in the spy photos. The BMW X7 was caught testing again recently under the cold weather conditions of Sweden.

1. Exterior

The X7 will be particularly similar to the X5, though it’s a bit bulkier, has a more imposing appearance, and has a proper third-row seating. It also has a more muscular looks, thanks to its larger wheels and massive kidney grille. The headlight design we saw on the X7 is the same one on the brand new 7 series. As for the bumper, it will be similar to the company’s design language.

2. Interior

Combine the X7 and the new 7 series, and you’ll get an idea of how the X7’s interior will look like. Alcantara leather will cover most of the interior that’s not made from wood or metal. It uses state-of-the-art technology, including BMW’s iDrive 5.0 touch display and gesture control. It also has the Touch Command Tablet, which will allow passengers to control HVAC temperatures, infotainment, and the audio system.

The third-row seat will be optional because buyers can choose to have more legroom and a larger trunk.

3. Drivetrain

Under the hood, nothing is so special with the X7. It will use BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six and 4.4-liter V-8. The turbo can produce 320 horsies and 330 pound-feet of torque while hitting 60 mph in less than six seconds. It has a top speed of 130 mph.

The V-8 will be able to churn out 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque to reach 60 mph in less than five seconds.

4. Prices

The X7 will probably be the most expensive of the X series. Although there is no official word yet, we’re assuming that this will retail with a starting price of $70,000. The range-topping model should exceed the $85,000 mark.

5. Competition

As for competition, the X7 is looking to battle it out with the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Cadillac Escalade.

It looks like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the Geländewagen, is receiving major, generational change updates. It has been around for 40 years, first used by Germany’s military forces and then later on, as the go-to vehicle of the rich and famous in Rodeo Drive.

Even AMG has a version of the SUV—the powerful G65 AMG with twin-turbocharged V-12 and G65 AMG 6×6 with three Portal axles and pickup bed.

The new spy shots revealed that the new G-Wagen will be wider and longer than the current version. There might also be new underpinnings. At first sight, the G-Wagen doesn’t look that much difference in size to the current model but putting them side by side would reveal that the mule is much wider.

This is apparent on the test mule’s front end that expands outward from a narrow grille, and the extra space on either side of the headlights.

But don’t worry, the iconic look will remain because there is still that wide fender flares, low beltline, almost vertical windshield, and flat side glass and roof.

There are no spy shots of the interior just yet, but we can expect the new G-Wagen to have the same fittings as the S-Class and E-Class sedans, plus the extra room. But despite the new interior space, don’t expect Mercedes to try to fit in a third row. Most likely, there will be cargo space after the second row.

As for powertrains, the G-Wagen will have a number of options—both diesel and gasoline. In the US, the main engine will most probably be a 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 that produces 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This then will be paired with Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic transmission. 4WD will come standard on this model.

It’s still early to estimate prices, but we expect the G-Wagen to start at $125,000.

It has been three years since we saw the second-generation Citroën C3 get a minor facelift; and that was six three years after the vehicle entered the auto industry.

Finally, we’re seeing the new-generation C3 up and about on the road. Based on the heavily camouflaged new C3, it would have a small, aerodynamic lip as caused by the front fascia being recessed under the hood. The spy shots also show larger upper air inlet, reshaped rear quarter windows, all new exterior light units, and a revised rear fascia.

There are no photos yet of what the inside would look like, although it might just carry over the pretty impressive interior of the outgoing model. What we’re expecting is to see a similar steering wheel with accenting on the lower spoke plus a simplified center console.

Overall, the interior would most likely be changed for refinement rather than for replacement.

As for the drivetrain, the new C3’s options are well-guarded secrets. What we’re hoping to see is a wide range of engine options—3- to 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The gasoline engine can produce a 68-horsepower 3-cylinder, 82-horseopower 3-cylinder, or a 110-horsepower 3-cylinder.

The turbodiesel will offer a 75-horsepower and 100-horsepower engines. The standard for all engines is the manual transmission, although an automatic transmission is also being offered in other models, depending on the case.

Pricing information isn’t available yet for the C3 since this is the first time the car has been completely upgraded in six years. We can estimate based on the current models. In the UK, the current model has a price tag of $15,353 for the entry-level model, and $24,062 for the top-ranging model.

If it wants to remain competitive, the Citroën C3 cannot raise prices too much. In this segment, the Citroën C3 will go against the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo.

The year 2016 has so far brought in new models from Audi, and the next half of this year will also see the launch of the A5 Convertible, just a few short months after the company unveiled the A5 Coupe.

After seeing the prototypes of the S5 and RS5 coupes being tested near the Nurburgring, it can be assumed that the convertible will also be having higher performance models. But as for now, let’s take a look at this standard model, which would be competing with the BMW 4 Series Convertible and the Merdedes-Benz C-Class Convertible.

The A5 would certainly be a tough competitor. Based on the spy shots, we can assume that there would be a new design language, classy interiors and updated drivetrains.

The convertible was covered in camo, but there are plenty of hints as to what it would look like once the camo comes off. It looks like the convertible will have a sharper body line, which confirms the A5 will be heavily based on the A4.

In short, the A5 should be a two-door convertible version of the A4.

The A5 would have the same size and shape as its predecessor, albeit it has reshaped body lines and slightly more angular features. Expect to see new headlamps that feature L-shaped LED stripes and redesigned twin LED lamps. At the back, there would be thinner taillights, shorter trunk lid, and a new bumper.

The interior will be completely redesigned. There’s a new “dashboard” with a continuous air-vent strip and the center console will have a sportier look. There would also be a new steering wheel with revised buttons, a larger display for infotainment system, and a new airconditioning unit.

The seats would be bound with softer materials that match the dashboard and door panels.

The range of diesel and gasoline options were updated—from a 1.4-liter TFSI rated engine to a 2.0-liter four-banger to a 3.0-liter V6.

The A5 Convertible should be a tad bit more expensive than the A4, which starts at $47,900 for the base trim and $50,200 for the premium version.

Spy shots revealed that Land Rover is currently working to update its Range Rover Sport for a 2018 launch. This was proven when photos were taken of the new Range Rover Sport roaming in camouflaged prototypes in Europe.

This is an upgrade car experts have been talking about for months as rumors fly around the industry of a new Range Rover Sport getting ready to wow us all. It will likely be the second-generation model’s mid-cycle update, so the changes will be minimal.

As revealed in the prototype, the model has a new bumper design and a new shape for air intakes and license plate support.

The spy shots also revealed revised grille surround and a more likely new hood, one that would probably fit the revised grille in terms of design.

So, how did we know the prototype we just saw is for the 2018 model year? The second-generation Range Rover Sport was released back in 2014. The original model had a lifespan of eight years. Assuming the second-gen model has the same lifespan, this prototype—an updated model—is just in time for a 2018 model year.

Of course, we should also take note that a 2016 Range Rover Sport was just announced, and it received a number of updates such as a new diesel-powered HSE Td6 variant and some new technologies for the cabin.

The same updates you’re currently seeing here are set to be the same ones that are going to be installed in the flagship Range Rover SUV, the current generation of which was launched a year before the second-generation Range Rover Sport.

Speaking of that, the high-performance Range Rover Sport SVR was also spotted in updated form.

More details are bound to come out as developments continue, and as Land Rover tests more of these prototypes on the road.

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